Exhibition at Hauser & Wirth, Monaco

"Renowned sculptor and poet Barbara Chase-Riboud presented an exhibition titled 'The Josephines' at Hauser & Wirth Monaco on 6 March 2025, and I had a pleasure to attend the opening on Thursday night." - Natalia Shpytkovska.

This exhibition pays tribute to the legendary performer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker, marking 50 years since Chase-Riboud met Baker during her final performance and 100 years since Baker's Paris debut. The showcase features two monumental sculptures, 'Josephine Black/Black' (2022) and 'Josephine Red/Red' (2022), alongside new works from Chase-Riboud's celebrated La Musica series (1990–2025) and works on paper.

‘My connection with Josephine Baker began when I first arrived in Paris in 1961 and found an atelier at 48 Rue Blomet. It was only after I had bought the atelier and I had began to work there that I realized that Rue Blomet was the site of the famous Le Bal Nègre, where Josephine had started her whole career in Paris. Just next door, down the street. I thought it was this incredible sign that something was going to happen between us.’ — Barbara Chase-Riboud.